MAKE ROOM
Day-1
I was invited to go to D.C. when I was younger. It was my first time flying on a plane so you can imagine my excitement. I think I started packing as soon as my mom told me I was going. It was going to be my mom and I for 3 days in D.C. No bedtime. No vegetables. It was going to be fun. In true Jennings fashion, I pulled out the biggest suitcase I could find and attempted to pack my entire room and everything my brother David owned into it. My mom and dad couldn’t stop laughing and David was simply shaking his head.
My dad asked, "why are you trying to bring all that stuff boy?” I responded, "just in case I needed it”. "But Tony", my dad replied, "you’re only there for 3 days. Your schedule may change and you have obligations right when you land. Carrying around all that luggage will do nothing but slow you down. Don’t forget, your mother will be going with you. If you need anything, she’ll be able to handle it.”
Wow! This pierced me right through the heart. As I am writing this, I am reminded of how many times I'd forgotten that God would be with me along the journey. Instead of relying on him to provide for me, I've been trying to go into new places and have new experiences carrying so much baggage with the hopes of supplying my own needs. And because of this, many of the opportunities I should've accomplished in a year, have taken 5 years because I refused to stop carrying around things I didn't need. Many of us have been carrying around past mistakes, past heartbreaks, toxic habits, old ways of thinking and it has been stopping us from experiencing all that God wants to do for us and through us.
If you want to make room for God, you must start by reminding yourself that God is always with you. No matter the obstacles, no matter the mountains, even if you feel inadequate, let this be a gentle reminder that God is with you and he will supply all of your needs. You are never alone. So let some of the baggage go to make room for God to do what only he can do.
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Verse of the day: Deuteronomy 31:8
The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.
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MAKE ROOM
Day-2
I was watching a movie late one night. I couldn’t sleep. In the movie, a family was attempting to escape something or someone (I can’t quite remember) but I do remember they were in a taxi cab. You’re probably thinking the same thing I was thinking, why in the world would they try and drive away from anyone or anything in a taxi cab. Anyway, in order for them to escape whatever was behind them, they had to go up this steep hill.
Every time the cab would get a little further up the hill, it would just roll right back down. They tried this at least three times but It wasn't until the little boy in the back seat yelled, “we have to much stuff back here”. He immediately began throwing stuff out the window and each time he did that, the car would make it a little further up the hill. He eventually threw everything out of the car and with a huge smile on his little face, they made it up the hill to safety.
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So I ask you this, what are you willing to give up to go up? Are you willing to give up your ways for God's ways? Are you willing to give up your plans for God's plans? Are you willing to give up a few nights of hanging out to finish your degree? Are willing to give up a few hours of sleep to finish your book or your business plan? Are you willing to give up a few unhealthy friendships & relationships to make room for new and healthy ones? Are you willing to give up being popular in order to live “purposeful”? Are you willing to give up chasing someone else's dream in order to chase your own? I want to encourage you today to think about your purpose and how you can "Make Room" in your life to fulfill (or better fulfill) your purpose. What are a few things you need to give up in order to make more room for God? (Take a moment to write them down)
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Verse of the Day: Psalms 32:8
The Lord says, I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.
MAKE ROOM
Day-3
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My nephew has a ton of energy. I don't think I have ever seen him walk because he's typically running everywhere. When he was around 2 years old, whenever anyone would ask him anything, his immediate response would be NO. "Would you like some juice?" He'd say, "NO!" "May I have a fist-bump?" He'd say, "NO!". Would you like some ice cream? He would say, "NO!". He'd eventually run back to me with a bowl in his hand waiting for me to give him a few scoops (hahaha). Here's the thing, if we really want to make room for God in our lives we are going to have to make use of the word NO.
There is so much power in this word and I would like to give you the permission to say this as much as you need to. I want to encourage you to take a look at your schedule and see where you've made intentional time to spend with God. Now take an even closer look at your schedule, and see where you may need to say NO to a scheduled meeting, NO to a scheduled dinner in order to say YES to God. Take a hard look at some of the opportunities you have been offered and ask yourself this question, does this feel like a God opportunity or a good opportunity? Take a look at the things that have most of your attention and take up most of your time. Try and remove the things that are just occupying space so that YOU make more room to serve God and do what God has called you to do.
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Verse of the day: Proverbs-3:5
Trust in the Lord with all your hearts and lean not unto your own understanding.